Meribeth C. Shank reviews children's books, writes picture books, teaches adult classes on Writing Books for Children, works in the Media Center at Miami Country Day School, an independent school in Miami Shores, Florida, and earned her MFA in Writing for Children from Vermont College and her undergraduate degree in elementary education from Goshen College.
meribeths@earthlink.net

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Books for Early Readers (FAMILY magazine reviews)

These books for busy parents are
perfect for beginning readers! They feature easy language, short chapters, large
print and sometimes pictures linked to the story.All are under 130 pages, with interesting characters and
surprising stories to keep a child’s attention.

Here are several ideas to keep in
mind as you choose a book to read with your child:

1)Pick a book you already like, or one you think
your child will enjoy.

2)Read it first, yourself – this gives you a
chance to understand the flow of the sentences and how the story is set
up.It’s also a good way to find
any words you think your child might have trouble with and show those words in
advance, to make your child’s reading successful.

3)Decide:

a)Are you going to read to your child?

b)Will you ask your child to read to you?

c)For variety, maybe you’ll want to take turns
reading a page or a chapter with your child.

This last choice gives your child a
break from reading. It also adds the pleasure of listening.Part of the delight in a good story is
the sound of the language – this is especially true for your child when YOU are
the reader!

Remember:

·Choose a time when you and the child are not too
tired or hungry.

·Find a comfortable place to make it easy to pay
close attention.

·Snuggle, so you both look forward to this time
together.

·Have fun!

Mrs. Noodlekugel

by Daniel Pinkwater

illustrated by Adam Stower

Candlewick, $14.99 (hardcover)

Interest Level: Kindergarten
– Grade 4

(This book is available to purchase from Books & Books online)

This
weird and wacky tale begins as an ordinary story of a brother and sister.Nick and Maxine just moved into a tall city
apartment building.However, a
magical turn happens when the curious children visit a cute little house behind
the building.

Even though their parents warn
against it, they find a pleasant old lady and a talking cat.Also, four farsighted (not blind) mice
help with baking and shaping gingermice cookies.

The author’s trademark playful
style makes it an odd and funny book. With black and white pictures to match
the large print, it’s also easy to read.

Sadie and Ratz

by
Sonya Hartnett,

illustrated by Ann James.

Candlewick, $14.99 (hardcover)

Interest Level: Grades 2-4

(This book is
available to purchase from Books & Books online)

Hannah has named her hands Sadie
and Ratz.Although they are NOT
animals, they act like wild beasts -- especially around four-year-old Baby
Boy.

Then, something strange happens in
Hannah’s house.Tricky Baby Boy names
Sadie and Ratz for drawing on the wall with black marker. Later, when he skins his knee, he tells
Grandma, “Sadie and Ratz pushed me.”

Hannah decides Sadie and Ratz “must
go on vacation.”But, when a
special clock gets broken. AND it stopped at 2 p.m. AND Baby Boy blames Sadie and Ratz.Mom and Dad realize it can’t be -- Hannah “had been at
school.”

This early chapter book is a skillful
blend of peppy text and lively charcoal drawings that express feelings on faces
and in actions.It’s also a clever
story about the power of imagination, and how big sisters and baby brothers change
each other.

Pinch and Dash and
the Terrible Couch

by Michael J. Daley,

illustrated by Thomas E.
Yezerski

Charlesbridge, $5.95
(paperback)

Interest Level: Kindergarten – Grade 3

(This series is available to borrow at the Miami Dade
Library; Main Branch, Homestead Branch)

Pinch’s
Aunt Hasty’s is living in a new tiny apartment.So, movers (Push and Shove) deliver her couch to Pinch’s
place.Now Pinch’s room is too
crowded -- he can’t enjoy his cozy chair.

Also, Pinch is NOT happy because his
curtains have “pleasing pinches of orange.”But as Dash, Pinch’s friend says, the couch is covered in
fabric with “daring dashes of red.”

Pen and ink and watercolor paintings
match the conversation in the text.The pictures add humor in this short six-chapter adventure.

As the two friends try moving the
furniture to fit, they get tired, thirsty and hot.When Dash falls asleep on the couch, Pinch opens the window to
cool off, giving him an idea that leads to a happy ending.

Sassy: The Birthday
Storm

by Sharon M. Draper.

Scholastic, $4.99 (paperback)

Interest Level: Grades 2-4

(This series is available to borrow at
the Miami Dade Library; Main Branch, Homestead Branch, Lemon City Branch,
Little River Branch, North Dade Regional)

Nine-year-old
Sassy, with her Sparkle Sack, is back! This new adventure begins with her
family’s trip to Florida.But, a
tropical storm threatens to spoil Granny’s birthday party.

On
an early morning beach walk, Sassy and Granny find an endangered sea turtle’s
nest. The eggs are buried close to the ocean’s edge. Maybe the storm will wash
them away!

Poppy calls a friend who is a sea
turtle expert.Before the
hurricane, Michael and the entire family move 87 eggs to a safer spot.

The
“stuff” Sassy pulls from her sparkle sack helps with the sea turtle eggs.And even changes the ruined birthday
party.This family story isn’t
just about safety and being together – it’s also about the “power and beauty of
nature.”

Try these books for more great stories!

Keena Ford and the
Second-Grade Mix-Up

by Melissa Thomson

illustrated by Frank Morrison

Dial, $5.99 (paperback)

Interest Level:
Kindergarten – Grade 2

(This series is available to borrow at the Miami Dade
Library; Main Branch, Homestead Branch, Lemon City Branch, Little River Branch,
North Dade Regional)

Magical Monty

by
Johanna Hurwitz

illustrated by Anik McGrory.

Candlewick, $15.99 (hardcover)

Interest Level: Kindergarten
– Grade 2

(This book is available to purchase from Books & Books online)

How Oliver Olson
Changed the World

by Claudia Mills, illustrated by Heather Maione

Square Fish, $5.99 (paperback)

Interest
Level: Grades 2-4

(This book is available to borrow at the Miami Dade Library;
Main Branch, North Dade Regional)

2 comments:

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About Me

I'm a Specialist in Children's and Young Adult Literature, specifically in Educational and Library settings. Also, I review children's books for magazine and newspaper and I write for children. Additionally, I have trained to be a Labyrinth Facilitator.